SHIFT – Bad Hombre, Vol. II (Warner Records)
Antonio Sánchez
Released August 26, 2022
JAZZ FM 25 Best Jazz Albums of 2022
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l89WtEU1rQSUEMc_gVRhFnR6MjAvJKVS0
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About:
Warner Bros Records has released “SHIFT (Bad Hombre Vol II)”. The much-anticipated recording features Sanchez collaborating with an amazing cast of guest artists:
Dave Matthews, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Meshell Ndegeocello, Kimbra, Lila Downs, Ana Tijoux, Thana Alexa, Silvana Estrada, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Maro, Pat Metheny, SONICA, Becca Stevens and Ignacio Lopez Tarso. SHIFT is a collection of songs from a spectrum of international singer-songwriters Sanchez greatly admires — artists who entrusted Sanchez with their recordings for him to reimagine and “shift” through his genre-bending talents as a composer, multi-instrumentalist, mixer and producer. Among the most influential and versatile drummers in the world, Sanchez also provides the background vocals and plays all the instruments.
Social justice was at the forefront of the first Bad Hombre project released in 2017 because of the rhetoric Donald Trump had used about Mexicans for his candidacy run.
SHIFT presents a more hopeful side of the world while still touching on the fragility of our current social and political climate. Sanchez has now adapted the term Bad Hombre as an alter ego in which allows him to experiment without any stylistic boundaries.
Track Listing:
1. Opening (Antonio Sanchez) 01:49
2. Eh Hee 2.0 (David J. Matthews / Antonio Sanchez) 04:28
3. Mi Palabra (Antonio Sanchez / Ana Tijoux) 04:00
4. The Bucket (Sterling Cunio / Becca Stevens) 05:39
5. I Think We‘re Past That Now (Trent Reznor / Atticus Ross / Antonio Sanchez) 04:50
6. Alambari (Maro / Antonio Sanchez) 04:43
7. Doyenne (Julia Adamy / Thana Alexa / Nicole Zuraitis) feat: Sonica 05:25
8. Risa De Mujer (Paul Cohen / Lila Downs) 05:02
9. Trapped (Red Room) (Thana Alexa / Antonio Sanchez) 04:29
10. Comet, Come to Me (Chris Bruce / Meshell Ndegeocello / Gabe Noel / Shara Nova) 04:16
11. Waiting (Antonio Sanchez) 03:23
12. Risa De Mujer (Interlude) (Paul Cohen / Lila Downs) 01:12
13. El Agua Y La Miel (Silvana Estrada) 05:50
14. Suspended Animation (Kimbra) 03:05
15. M-Power (Rodrigo y Gabriela) 06:00
16. Closing (Antonio Sanchez) feat: Ignacio Lopez Tarso 01:17
Personnel:
Antonio Sanchez: drums, percussion, electric bass guitar, keyboards, mandolin, synthesizer, ukulele, vocals
Dave Matthews: vocals
Pat Metheny: guitar
Ana Tijoux: vocals
Becca Stevens: vocals, guitar
Trent Reznor: vocals
Atticus Ross: synth
MARO: vocals
Thana Alexa: vocals, beat box
Lila Downs: vocals
Meshell Ndegeocello: vocals, electric bass
Silvana Estrada: vocals
Kimbra: vocals, guitar
Rodrigo Y Gabriela; guitars
Ignacio López Tarso: voice
Recorded and produced at Marinian Studios, NYC
All tracks arranged, orchestrated, product, engineered and mixed by Antonio Sánchez
Alan Moulder mixed track 5 co-mixed by Antonio Sánchez
Pete Karam co-mixed all tracks except 5, 10 and 12
Nick Hard co-mixed tracks 10 and 12
Mastering: Dave McNair
Cover photos: Fernando Aceves and Justin Bettman
Skull Image: Ay Gûey
Cover design & artwork: Knut Schôtteldreier
Review:
Five-time Grammy winner and Golden Globe-nominated drummer and composer Antonio Sánchez has worked with the likes of Chick Corea, Michael Brecker and Gary Burton, but he’s best known for his work with Pat Metheny and his score for the Oscar-winning film Birdman. The followup to his Grammy-nominated recording Bad Hombre features a diverse and stellar roster of collaborators including Lila Downs, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Dave Matthews, Thana Alexa and Kimbra. The album transports the listener to a lush, textured environment where vocals and instrumental layers alternate and share the spotlight equally. It’s a rich and immersive listening experience with gorgeous sounds and soulful voices.
Laura Fernandez (JAZZ.FM91)
